Elected first as a TD in 1997, he has retained his seat in every general election since. The Fianna Fáil spokesperson on public expenditure and reform, he is a qualified accountant and a member of the Public Accounts Committee.

I believe the people of Laois know I am an honest, hardworking and upfront TD in the Dáil. I represent the views of my constituents strongly at all times.

To work to increase the number of people employed locally and to ensure Laois benefits strongly from an improvement in the national economy.

To introduce real, practical measures to help families with children to overcome financial difficulties with their mortgages, household bills and childcare costs.